Electrode-holder



F'. A. RAPPGLDAND c. TR'EMAINE.

` ELECTRODE HOLDER.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. I8, 1920.

Patented Nov. 23, 1920.-

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FRANK A. RAPPOLD AND CHARLES IB.. TREMAIN'E, 0]?` COLUMBUS, OHIO.

' ELEc'rnoDElHoLDEB.

Specification of Letters Patent. Patented OV. 23, 11920,

Application med nbruary 1a, 1920. serial No. 359,644.

To ali lwhom t may concern: v

Be it known that FRANK RAPPOLD and.

This invention relates particularly to electrode holders adapted specifically for arc 0r electric welding, and has for its primary object to provide a holder of a simple yet eiiicient nature, and one which will be capable of imparting continuous extended use without losing any of its necessary utilitarian functions.

A further object of the invention resides in providing the under surface of the movable member with a laminated spring' construction, which is so formed that its free end will be arched into engagement with the stationary member, said spring structurev providing positive means for normally maintaining the electrode grip ing jaws-of the tool in contiguous relatlons ip and provides an open construction wherein frames for retaining the spring in position are eliminated, a connection being provided between the spring structure and the movable member which prevents lateral movement on the part of said structure and constantly maintains the latter in proper engagement with the stationary member.

'With these and other objects in view, as will appear as the description proceeds, the invention abcordingly consists in the novel features ofl construction, combinations of elements and arrangement of arts, hereinafter to be fully described an to have the scope thereof pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a top lan view of the electrode holder comprislng the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a side'elevation of the electrode holder, i y

Fig. 3 is a sectional view on the line 3 3 of Fig. 2, and

Fig. 4 is a sectional view on the line 4-4 of Fig. 2.

4As shown in the accompanying drawing,

the electrode holder 1 comprising the pres-- ent invention consists essentially 1n the provision of a main stationary member 2 and a pivoted movable member 3. These members may be formed from any suitable material ysuch for example as man anese bronze so as to be readilyv capable o Iconveying current'therethrough. The stationary member 2 is formed'to embody a forwardly disposed stationary'jaw 4 which is adapted to coperate wlth the movable member for the purpose of retaining an electrode of any desired formation in a supported position therebetween. The jaw 4 terminates rearwardly in a pair of oppositely disposed inwardly extending recesses 5, which are adapted to extend adjacent to an upwardlyextending vertically disposed lug 6, the latter being formed integrally with the jaw 4 and is of a height to extend appreoiably labove the main plane of the stationary member. Said lu 4is provided with `a transversely exten ing vport 7, through which a similarly extending pin 8 projects.

The movable member is also provided with a jaw 9 which is adapted -to coperate withthe stationary jaw 4 for the purpose of retaining an electrode therebetween. The jaw 9 terminates rearwardly in a pair of spaced downwardly projecting ears 10, which latter lie within the recesses 5 on each side of the lug 6. Further, the movable member is provided between the ears 10 with a slot 11, in which the lug 6 is adapted to be positioned. The ears 10 are also apertured as at 12 in an alined manner,4

to receive the ends of the pin 8, whereby the pivotal union between the stationary movable members will be provided. By means of this construction it will be a parent that a firm and substantial pivota connection between the members 2 and 3 will be provided and furthermore, owing to the formation of the connection it `will be impossible for lateral movement of any a preciable moment to take place between said members. Furthermore, the joint is of such construction that the alinement of arcing which occurs when the tool contacts, under working conditions, with the metallic surface, will have no effect upon the construction of the pivotal connection. This feature enables the holder to be continuously used without causing the members 2 and 3 to bind at their point of pivota-l connection,

and hence assures free and unrestricted operation. If ydesired the jaws 4 and 9 may have their inner meeting surfaces formed with offset V shaped grooves 13, whlch are adapted to be utilized in causing the jaws to exercise a firm and positive grip upon the electrode positioned therebetween.

To normally maintain the jaws 4 and 9 in engagement with each other, use is made of a spring structure 14. This structure is formed to consist preferably of a pair of relatively strong flat leaf springs 15, which are adapted to be positioned between the rearwardly extending curved handle portion 16 of the movable member and the shank portion 17 of the stationary member Q, this arrangement being such thatthe normal tendency of the spring structure will be to force the jaws of the members 2 and 3 together and to thus enable the latter to firmly retain an electrode in a supported position and free for manipulation. The spring structure itself is preferably of the laminated construction described, as .it has been found that when so formed the structure will possess extreme resiliency combined with facility and ease of operation. The upper end of the spring structure is secured to the free end of the handle portion 1G by the provision of a pair of spaced securing elements 18, a pair of the latter being preferably used in order that the spring ,struc` ture will be maintained in a position of alinement, or in'other words its free end will be held in engagement with a shank portion 17 by the elimination of undue lateral movement. lt will be observed that in conjunction with the pivot connection the spring structure will eliminate the use of guide housings or other similar members which are ordinarily employed for the purpose of receiving the spring structure and to guide the operation of the movable member.

The handle end of the stationary member is preferably of tubular formation and is arranged to receive the handle tube 19 of any suitable insulating material, an electric conductor 2O is also connected with the handle end of the stationary member so that current will be caused to pass through the latter and into the electrode held thereby under actual working conditions. Preferably, the end of the wire 20 is soldered or otherwise homogeneously secured in connection with the `stationary member. vThis connection is preferably used in place of bolts or other similar threaded elements and tends to reduce the heat which invariably accompanies the use of such elements.

From the foregoing description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, it will be apparent that the present invention comprehends the provision of an electrode holder which is of simple, substantial and durable construction and one which may be actively used for a considerable period of time without becoming damaged by the action of short circuited currents passing therethrough. The spring construction is particularly desirable in that it eliminates superfluous parts and accordingly minimizes undue binding between the stationary and movable elements, which binding is ordinarily the result of short circuiting. Care has been exercised in examining the tool to render the same well balanced and capable of being conveniently manipulated by the operator and the pivot construction described insures a tool of long life and of stanch and durable construetion.

lWhat is claimed is:

1. An electrode holder comprising a main stationary member having a forwardly disposed stationary jaw, a mo 'able member pivotally secured to said stationary member. said movable member having a jaw formed therewith designed for cooperation with the jaw of the stationary member` a springl structure normally operating to maintain said jaws together, said structure comprising a plurality of flat leaf springs rigidly carried by one of said members and arranged to movably engage with the other of said members, the connection between said springs and the member with which they are attached being such as to prevent lateral movement on the part of the springs.

2. In an electrode holder, a main handle member having a stationary jaw formed therewith, a movable member pivotally connected with said main membe and provided with a jaw designed for cooperation with the stationary jaw, and a leaf spring for maintaining said jaws in a closed position rigidly carried by one Aof said members. the free end of said spring being disposed to movably engage with the surface of the opposite member.

ln testimony whereof we allix our signa tures.

FRANK A. RAPPOLD. CHARLES R. 'llllh/[AINIL 

